[Christopher]

Wow, so my world has been totally rocked! After years of being totally exhausted and depressed I finally talked to my doctor about it. I just figured it was due to my schedule and my lifestyle but it was getting worse every year.

I went in and expected a nice and neat happy pill to get me on my way. What I got was a smart doctor who likes to explore options before drugs. I explained to him that I'm simply wiped out all the time now and that it's getting worse every year. I have a psycho schedule and my diet and exercise sucked but I was just toast. I didn't feel like the stereo typical depressed guy and that I still functioned, I was just wiped out.

I sent me to a sleep doctor. I went in and had a sleep study done a couple of weeks ago and on Tuesday I got to talk to the Doc about the results. Diagnosis: SLEEP APNEA!

I (and sadly my wife also) knew that I snore like a mother fucker and always have. In fact my snoring was legendary at my house even when I was a tiny child. It turns out that I actually stop breathing! I start out the night with moderate apnea. I quit breathing and wake myself up for a split second every 3.75 minutes in the first hour of sleep and as the night progresses I stop more and more often. By the end of the night I'm basically not sleeping at all! This is kicking my ass.

My blood pressure, my heart rate, and of course my exhaustion and depression are all effected. Studies are showing that apnea and weight gain have also common ties. Almost every health (mental and phyical) problem I've had in the last ten years can be tied to the apnea.

My sleep doc and I are working on some options right now to get it under control and I'm pretty excited. I started right away on a C-PAP machine. Basically it's a Darth Vader in a box that forces air down your throat keeping your airway open all night long. I look like a fuckin' scuba diver and sound like Darth but it kicks massive ass.

I've only worn it a couple nights and the first night I didn't get much sleep getting used to it but I'm already feeling amazing. The doctor said I should feel a little bit better each day than the last for about 3-4 months while I get caught up on sleep and the structures of my airway heal.

Judging by my symptoms and what I've been told from my family it looks like I may have always had this. Each year it got a little worse as I got older and the long term effects worsened. The last ten years have been the worst. I could sleep 24 hours a day and still wake up feeling as tired as when I went to bed. Now I know why. I wasn't actually getting any productive sleep!

I've suffered from insomnia and that too could be related!

You can't imagine how crazy I'm excited to see what the future holds now. It's like I'm sleeping for the first time. I just had to share.

[Leon]

my dad used to be a very heavy guy, and that, coupled with old football neck muscles that he didn't use anymore, caused his sleep apnea. he got the same machine, and through high school it was kinda nice hearing this gentle whirring noise, instead of some asshole lumberjack in the next room trying to build a freak'n house

good news though

[noodles]

You sound like Darth? That owns.

[Oguz286]

Wow that's excellent news, sleep is VERY important. I once killed a moquito after it bugged me for 2 sleepless weeks, and when i killed it, i felt GREAT. You haven't slept for ages, so i can understand how excited you are! Good luck with it

[Christopher]

Originally Posted by noodles

You sound like Darth? That owns.

Yeah, I thought that was kinda metal. The really bad cheesy Darth related sex lines have been flying around the house all week.

"Impressive."

[metalfiend666]

I've seen programs on sleep apnea so I can appreciate how much you must have been suffering, it's nasty. Glad you finally got it diagnosed and you're getting treated now.

[Drew]

Good news, dude - I'm a HUGE proponent of treating the ailment (lack of sleep) rather than the symptoms (feeling down).

I'm not the soundest sleeper myself,b ut I don't think it's snoring related. Then again, I really wouldn't know, as I'd be asleep, would i?

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Drew

Good news, dude - I'm a HUGE proponent of treating the ailment (lack of sleep) rather than the symptoms (feeling down).

Originally Posted by Drew

I'm not the soundest sleeper myself,b ut I don't think it's snoring related. Then again, I really wouldn't know, as I'd be asleep, would i?

good call. Hey Chris, does Drew ever wake you up at night with any snoring? :p

[Christopher]

Thanks for the support guys. The plan right now is to treat it with the C-PAP for 3-4 months and then look into other options. The doc thinks it has to do with my narrow nasal passage at the top of my nose. So, one option is to get a nose job, seriously.

[Drew]

Originally Posted by Christopher

Thanks for the support guys. The plan right now is to treat it with the C-PAP for 3-4 months and then look into other options. The doc thinks it has to do with my narrow nasal passage at the top of my nose. So, one option is to get a nose job, seriously.

You could talk to Ashlee Simpson, for support!